the sea.

Revelation 21:1

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

I have heard this verse countless times.

It's a verse of jubilation, spoken often at worship services.

Reminding us to look forward to heaven and realize that this earth can never compare.

But, I never noticed the "no longer any sea" part. I love the sea! Why won't it be part of this "NEW heaven and NEW earth!?" Thankfully I have a trusted Life Application Bible and they chose to write a bit about this exact verse. Apparently the sea in John's time was viewed as dangerous and changeable. It was also the source of the beast. So, they wouldn't want it to be part of their "perfection". And even though it may be part of our current view of what heaven will be ... heaven is about so much more than physical terms.

Just like I'm realizing how life is so much more than physical things (I'm not talking about Chanel handbags and Iphones). It's more than the physical thing of serving. It's more than natural beauty. It's about people and relationships and God's infinite involvement. Love that.

Photo Credit: Steve Perry (Morocco, Africa)

contentment.

what is contentment?

seriously.

it's one of the hardest things in life for me to understand.

the dictionary says it's a sense of happiness and satisfaction.

then, i'm not content.

but, does that relate to spiritual contentment?

too much to ponder tonight.

Christmas. . .

It was wonderful.

And now it's done.

I'm giving up facebook until February.

To focus.

To focus on reading, learning, growing, and praying.

2010 is going to have many many surprises.

I hope I can handle it all.

Thankfully, I won't be alone.

cozy christmas.

It seems that most Christmas movies are about a cozy little town coming together to overcome some obstacle. 

But, there must be a reason for this.  Having spent this past Saturday in NYC I can see the charms of city life.  The ever changing culture.  The unpredictability and excitement.  The world at your fingertips.  But, it makes sense for Christmas to be a time away from the world's distractions to go "back home".  And what if your home isn't a little town?  What if your home is NYC? Maybe that saying cross stitched on your grandma's pillow is true.  Home may very well be where the heart is.  

And with that said. . . I will soon be headed home.

freezing.

sometimes, it's impossible to get warm.

wool army blankets are essential to life.

not sure how people live without them.

coming home in 9 days.

in the meantime i shall keep busy.

brrrrrrr.................

but a sojourn.

Today I sat in a coffee shop on the island.

The same coffee shop I sat in about two months ago.

The same seat I had been sitting in after my interview.

The seat where I had sat across from my mother discussing the decision.

The decision to move to Long Beach Island and start a new life.

At the time I was torn.

I was excited about the location and the opportunity to serve.

But, I was scared and blinded by the comforts of home. 

Attempting to project my potential life.  Here or There?

And as I sat in the same seat this morning.

Having spent two months in my new life.

I was okay. 

And surprisingly at peace.

Thank you God.

Psalm 143. 

art of blog.

This is the old title picture.Well, I hated it.

I couldn't make it work.

So, new blog picture.

New look.

Still LBI at Christmastime.

I think I'll make a new one each month.

Today I stopped by the island consignment shop and strolled.

Documented in 4.0 mega pixels.

bored?

Donald Miller

Cyber Monday. . .nah.

Instead of spending Monday cyber shopping.

I decided to do some thrifting at my new favorite shop. . . 

where I found quite a few treasures. . . 

Which all added to my minimalist Christmas decorating.

Now why would I spend the day on the internet when I can save money and buy used items? Plus, if you smile at the old man ringing up your purchases, he'll give you a discount.  laugh. 

Thankful Thanksgiving.

Shore to Pgh. & Pgh. to Shore

All I have to say is. . . 

Thank goodness for those huge yellow arrow signs. 

crazy. dark. foggy. up. down. sharp turns.

My first snow.  Thankfully not in Jersey, but on my drive back.

Thankful for safety.

-in the over 10,700 miles i've driven in 2009-

power out.

Today is Tuesday.

I attended a staff meeting this AM.

Then, the power went out.

A goose ran into the power line.

Sadly the goose didn't make it. . . 

So, I'm working from home.

Working as in:

-creating and typing up new rules for the winter staff

-creating a spreadsheet to keep track of canteen finances

-texting servers to create a schedule for post christmas 

-creating spreadsheets for vending machine profits

what a weird job I have.

Thankfully The View is on tv and it's entertaining.

But, after that, there will be NOTHING on tv.

And I can't be on my computer and watch a movie at the same time. . . dilemma.

I think I need to buy a DVD player or subscribe to more than "basic cable".